Living with a Cupra Ateca?

[OliPolo]

I'm currently in the market for a new car. The wife is insisting on a 4x4, whilst I want something fun, which has caused a bit of an issue.

We've got a £7k deposit to put towards a PCP deal and have tested cars endlessly for two weeks. They need to come in at around £300 p/m. We get a nice sizeable NHS discount on both the cars below, which is how we can keep the payments down.

The two final contenders are:

40TFSI Q3 - not fun but a nice cabin (for the money) and ticks a lot of the boxes, including having the C&S pack
or
Cupra Ateca VZ1 - punchy, a little different to the rest of the VAG stuff and seemingly decent levels of kit as standard

I wondered if anybody has an experience of living with the Cupra. From the test drives (2) I've had, I do really like it (other than the 4 pipes), it fits the bill on size & practicality and drives nicely. Real-world MPG, reliability, comfort long-term etc. are all thoughts on my mind.

Any insight welcome!

Cheers,
Oli

[Andy665]

If you are considering a Q3 and a Cupra have you not considered the Formentor?

[rllmuk]

We have one as my wife's car. I've had 2 Golf R estates (MK7/7.5) over 4 years prior to my current car so can compare it pretty well to the VW offerings (thought not Audi). We've had it for 18 months now.

Good points
Quick - I think it's quicker point to point than my Golf R estates were
Economical for what it is - 350 to a tank average
DCC standard - though I never needed it on the Golf
19" wheels look good (not copper)
High seating position
CarPlay/infotainment nice
Virtual cockpit has quite a few different views
Everything mechanical is identical to the Golf
USB ports in the back for kids are a hit
Feels more spacious in the back than the Golf
We have 3 kids, and when we use her car it doesn't feel a squeeze (despite youngest being 2 and in a seat)

Bad points
High seating position
Compared to the Golf you feel like you're sat on it, rather than in it
Interior isn't up to VW (or Audi) standards - cheap feeling plastics for example
Noisy on full lock - there was a recall for it but as ours is a lease not looked deeper

Ours is costing us just under £14k for three years motoring, which isn't all bad. Seat Stockport were great in supplying it.

Edited by rllmuk on Thursday 22 April 15:59

[olijacobsen]

Andy665 said:

If you are considering a Q3 and a Cupra have you not considered the Formentor?

The Formentor was the front runner for a while until I actually went to see it. I loved it from the press shots and reviews but in person, the exterior plastics and angles just didn't sit right with me, unfortunately. Great drive though.

[olijacobsen]

thanks for the info @rllmuk that's all in-line with my thinking from the two test drives.

It does feel like a lot of car for the money but you're right on the plastics (especially once you're in the back). The only other downside seems to be the smallish windows/pillar right next to your head if you've got the seat back.

Decisions, decisions

[rllmuk]

For me, despite the plastics, the Cupra would win between those 2 cars specifically due to the powertrain difference. These EA888 engined VAG cars in 300hp tune really are excellent.

If speed isn’t a priority I can see the logic for the Q3. Oh and residuals, of course!

What about Tiguan R?

[olijacobsen]

rllmuk said:

For me, despite the plastics, the Cupra would win between those 2 cars specifically due to the powertrain difference. These EA888 engined VAG cars in 300hp tune really are excellent.

If speed isn’t a priority I can see the logic for the Q3. Oh and residuals, of course!

What about Tiguan R?

Tiguan R is coming out just a little too much on the PCP.

Out of interest, what kind of MPG are you guys getting on a mixed run? I've seen pretty wildly different figures and on the (albeit only 40 mins) test, the Ateca was averaging 19mpg...